Wimbledon Library is conveniently located on the high street but more towards Wimbledon Hill away…read morefrom hussle and bussle. It was opened in 1887 and the building has a very nice feel about it. It has recently undergone a bit of a refurbishment as previously it did look a little cramped in the main area. The usual areas are all there with Non-fiction, fiction, reference. I have used it quite a bit for studying in. The study section is located at the back of the library and there are a fair number of desks. The newspapers are also in that area so it can get quite busy. The library is all on one floor and off to one side is the Internet section. If your a registered user you can get an hour a day on the internet. It obviously is fairly busy during peak time but the 1 hour limit helps. I am not a parent but the library does have a good childrens section and often there are workshops happening for mothers and babies/kids. Another good thing is the library is on the Merton library website so you can search for books online and I believe they are adding online renewals.

Free internet Quiet(ish) working area…read moreFree computers No public toilets!!! so don't stay too long

The local library I found not only useful for books but many more added values, which I discovered…read morebit by bit. The Fulham Library has a photocopier black and white - which is of course practical on a Sunday. Not having had Internet at my place, I regularly was able to book free Internet sessions - make sure you book in advance over the phone... The book selection is alright, but very small, more for a pensioner who wants to look up which bird he spotted or books for children. If you need to do professional research the British Library or Royal College of Arts library is the cream of the crop. Upstairs there is a study room all in dark wood reading lamps. In fact very beautiful and ideal if you need to spend some time studying in silence - there your will get peace and silence - if you do not apply to the rules you will get kicked out. The documents stored in the wooden shelving there are only to be studied in the library and not to be borrowed.

I don't have all that much basis for comparison - you tell me is this better or worse than most…read moreLondon council libraries? As a resource though I find it to be pretty useful - easier than dots to join up and the selection is pretty good. They have the usual mix of bestsellers, classics, factual and research books, general academic, foreign language, graphic and children's books. They also provide some local community services like free internet access and a big study room upstairs. I've been up there a couple of times to try to work without the distractions of a coffee shop or my internet connection at home but honestly it's a bit too much like uni for my liking - mostly students when I was in. Still - a good place to join if you are local and want to share all your books with your neighbors. Via the library middle man obviously so don't worry you won't have to talk to them.

For a small local library, this place is really quite cool. I always liked the vibe of this…read morelibrary, it's "split", if you like, into two parts - the reference library and then the main library. The reference library is nice and quiet, a perfect place to research, study or read. The staff are helpful and the surroundings make you feel your in the inner sanctum of old newspapers and manuscripts - I really like the heavy old wooden interior. The main library is much more modern. There's a great selection of books and you can use the internet here too but I much prefer reading in the reference library. Overall, a great place for books. I used to love coming in here to read and reflect, a brilliant local library.

Really cool library. Good selection and nice atmosphere…read more And they are so high-tech! I was late returning a book last week, so they emailed me with a reminder and a link to renew my books online! So easy and so convenient!

I have been going here for many years and have always found the staff friendly. They often have…read moreevents on which are great for the family. There are a wide range of books and there are computers to use. If you need a quiet place to work this is a good place to go.

Another ugly building that houses a decent selection of books. I always wish that London libraries…read morewere made to look authentic and studious but I suppose that everything has to expand into a new build eventually including libraries.

This is my local library, located slightly off Earl's Court Road on the Old Brompton Road…read more The 70s-built building won't win any prizes for architecture, but the inside is surprisingly light and airy. There's the usual lending and reference sections, and they have a video, DVD and music CD collection, as well as a special children's section and a small internet access section (for members only). Fees apply for videos, DVDs and CDs. Only members can take out books, but anyone can use the reference section. Being relatively small, the stock is a bit limited (especially the local history section) but is adequate for most people. My main use has been to borrow travel guides, of which there's a decent selection. It receives all the major daily newspapers, mostly read by a group of loyal pensioners who seem to go there every day. The library runs reading courses, has a reading group and once a week there's a toddlers' group called 'Baby Rhyme Time'. (I have no idea what goes on there!) The staff seem very pleasant, and there is a meeting room upstairs available for hire by community groups, seating up to 40 people. It's on the C1 bus route, and a few minutes' walk from the 328, 74 and C3 buses. Both Earl's Court and West Brompton stations are about ten minutes' walk away.

Libraries are gifts to those suffering from penury; i.e. students. Streatham Library is no…read moreexception. They have loads of books and CDs on a wealth of subjects that will satisfy the need for knowledge for all types of inquiring minds. One thing that sets this library apart from others is their impressive DVD collection; Blockbuster pales in comparison. Streatham Library has hundreds of new and classic mainstream and underground movies to choose from and they usually let you check them out for about £1.50 a pop. So, instead of getting ripped off at the cinema or at your local video rental store, go to this library, you'll be surprised at what you can find.

I was born in 1941 and went to Sunnyhill Road School and then on to Rosa Basset Grammar School. I…read morewalked home past the library every school day and at least twice a week from age seven I spent time in the library usually reading for about an hour and then checking out my books. What a wonderful library this is and what a haven it was. I've lived in Montreal, New York and now Los Angeles for the last 5O or so years but my memories of Streatham Library on a cold, rainy day are so fond.

The library is well stocked and they can usually get something that's not available on the floor…read more Its also easy to reserve. The staff are nice and helpful although there's one guy (older, bearded, glasses) who's really snarky, does the bare minimum to help, and talks to you like you're an idiot - strongly suggest avoiding him.

Having joined the Balham library a few weeks ago, I already managed to accumulate charges for one…read morebook. The joining process was easy enough...and yes they have warned me of the charges. I just forgot. I know ... I'm hopeless. The library in itself offers a wide range of literature and DVDs and also has a bestseller lending scheme. The more popular books have only a 2 week lending time and cannot be renewed. It gives more people the option to borrow it, but it got me in trouble as I forgot to give it back on time. Next to the usual volunteers at the lending desks, they also have an automated borrow and return system ... I guess it will come in handy in the few case you're too embarrassed with your reading choices to go to the lending desk. Balham library also offers free Wi-Fi and you can book a computer to use the Internet. As many other libraries these days it also offers courses in many different topics and has reading groups and kids time.

I'm going to come right out and say it:…read more I think that libraries are one of the most important things we've ever come up with. So, yes, maybe I'm biased. This is the Tate (yes, as in THAT Tate) memorial library-- he didn't just endow the museum, he endowed three libraries in South London. It's a gorgeous old Victorian building, with lovely, knowledgeable staff, and a generally excellent selection of books and whatnot. They will, of course, get you anything in the Lambeth Library world. But that's not all! Free wifi! (usually) clean toilets! Computers! Books? Fiction. Nonfiction. Graphic novels. Training for the Life in the UK test. Job centre. Book reading groups. The librarians will engage with you, suggest books for you, and ask your opinion of books. They put up brilliant displays of local history (including a recent history of the Brixton Riots). What else? They have a LOYALTY CARD SCEME. I know. It's a library. They give you stuff for free. What on earth would you want with a loyalty card scheme? See, if you borrow anything five times, you'll get a DVD or audio music rental for free. I'm sure they have more. They're a brilliant resource full of lovely people. Write your MP, councillor, etc. and save them. It's probably the best use of your tax money.

Well placed library in the centre of Brixton, right next door to the legendary Ritzy Cinema…read more The library has normal books for loan as well as reference book also. One of the most pleasing areas is upstairs in the study / computer room to the left of the main staircase. Once inside there is gorgeous winding staircase leading up to what looks like part of the reference library. It was cordoned off last time I was there, so sadly I didn't get to have a poke around. Thinking about it I'm not sure that it's ever seen it accessible to the public, I'll have to go back and have another look!